Kunam was seated next to a woman who occupied a middle seat on a Virgin America redeye flight from Los Angeles to Newark on July 29 and 30, 2016. While the plane was in the air, the woman fell asleep. Kunam admitted that while the victim was asleep, he touched her vagina and buttocks without her consent.

Veerabhadrarao Kunam was arrested and taken into federal custody by FBI on July 30, 2016 after the flight arrived in Newark, NJ.

According to the terms of plea agreement before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court, Veerabhadrarao Kunam will be sentenced to between 30 and 60 days in prison and up to 90 days in an inpatient alcohol treatment center.

The formal sentencing of Veerabhadrarao Kunam is scheduled for March 22, 2017.